Chapter Nine-Crimson Inferno
Crash moaned as he tossed and turned. He probably could have rested there all day long, yet the massive gnarl that churned his insides caused him to wake up. His stomach was suffering greatly, and it wanted Crash and everyone else near him to know it. Crash blew out an exasperated breath, and lifted his arm up. He studied it carefully, and then his mouth broke into a wide grin. No more marks. Crash let his arm fall to his side as he felt his strength begin to return. A minute later, he got to his knees, and then he was finally able to stand up. His legs were wobbly, but he took being able to stand on his own as a good sign. He gently began to stretch his tight muscles and yawned as he strode over to a window. He took in his reflection in the thick glass. His eyes were back to normal now; a bright if somewhat tired emerald green. Although his eyes were not as luminous as the crystal glow, they still suited him just fine. Crash yawned again and turned on his heel. He stopped dead as he looked up at Tiny's grinning jowl. Crash sighed.
Right…I remember now.
"Doctor say he want to see you when you wake up from nap."
Crash took a deep inhale. "Oh of course. By all means. Where is the good doctor?"
Bad idea. Tiny latched his large hand around Crash's thin arm and pulled him along. Crash winced.
"Hey, hey. Don't go snapping any limbs, alright?"
Tiny did little to compensate for Crash's discomfort, but the latter didn't really mind. At least he was off that space station. Towed behind Tiny, Crash had a few moments to glance around at Brio's unfurnished ship. It was not nearly as spacious and technologically sound as Cortex's, but Crash had to admit that he was impressed at what Brio was able to do with limited means. Tiny burst into a small lab, pulling Crash in right behind him.
"Here he is doctor."
Brio turned around from his work. "Thank you T-t-tiny." Then Brio settled his gaze on Crash. "The l-l-laser is set Crash."
Crash took a quick look at the massive piece of machinery that filled most of the lab. The barrel of the gun was pointed toward Cortex's station, and the rumbling power of the crystals caused the weapons generator to glow eagerly. Crash positioned himself so he had a good view of the show.
"Now we just need a bowl of popcorn."
Brio walked up to Crash. "Would you c-c-care to do the honors Crash?"
Crash tilted his head toward the doctor. "Don't you have a vendetta or something? I don't want to interfere with your vengeance trip or whatever."
"The r-r-right belongs to you more than it d-d-does to me."
Crash thought about it. After all that happened, he supposed he did deserve to blow up Cortex and his station. Even so, Crash wasn't willing to destroy anyone's life, even if it was a slime-ball like Cortex. Crash grinned.
"Go for it doc."
Brio looked as though he almost smiled. Crash couldn't really tell. With a fading grin, Crash turned toward the window, hearing thrumming in his ears as the laser gathered power. An instant later, a bright shaft of magenta light blasted from the weapon, and headed straight for the twisted station in the distance. Crash shielded his eyes as a blinding flash engulfed the ship, and soon after he could hear and feel the affects of the explosion. The ground shook beneath him, and he planted his feet so he didn't topple over. When the sky crashing rumble began to fade, Crash turned back to the window. All that was left of Cortex's space station was a cornucopia of shimmering scarlet stars, fading quickly into wide flickers. Crash raked his hand through his red hair, and then turned toward Brio without looking at him.
"Well then, that's that. I'd like to go home now. Give me a lift?"
--
The explosion faded into the absolute vacuum of space, leaving no trace of the grand space station that once had been suspended there. It was gone, and with it all the technology, inventions and research that had been inside. The beam of crystal energy had shattered and settled back to the earth, finding dormancy in new concealments across the surface. After Nitrous Brio's ship headed for the planet, there was nothing but stillness and silence that remained. A few moments of quiet reflection passed, and then a miniature space ship floated from the wreckage and sped away.
--
"Crash!"
Crash stood there with a docile smile on his face as his little sister dashed toward him. He didn't have the strength to move out of the way at the last second, so he absorbed the strong hug she gave him.
"Hey Sis, miss me?"
Coco leapt off him, her relief spent as he glared at him with heated eyes.
"Don't ever do anything like that again, you idiot."
Crash grinned wickedly. "Oh, I don't know if I can promise that. I seem to get a hankering once and a while to rescue the earth from certain destruction. I also think I have an addiction to getting thrown around and beaten up, but I'll try my best to break the habit."
Coco punched him in the arm. After another moment of glaring, Coco finally succumbed to hugging him again.
"Thanks for coming home big Brother."
Crash felt more warmth seep into his smile. "Thanks for caring." A moment later, Crash began to chuckle softly. "I knew you missed me."
Coco's head snapped up and her mouth was ajar slightly. Crash teetered as she clubbed him again and then turned and stomped away.
"See if I ever help you again, you dumb jerk."
Crash sighed with a small smile as he watched Coco march back toward the house. Despite their constant bantering, Crash was quite fond of the little pain-in-the-butt. Crash yawned so wide he felt his jaw click in protest, but the yawn itself was remarkably fulfilling. Then Crash wandered over to a small tree and began to shake it furiously. Dozens of wamba fruit fell from the leaves and thumped to the ground. When Crash thought he had harvested enough, he settled amid the piles of fruit and leaned his back on the tree. Cool shade shielded him from the sun, and as Crash felt his eyelids grow heavy, he reached for a wamba fruit. Before devouring it, Crash simply adored it for a while.
"Hello beautiful."
It was going to be a fine day.